I get a lot of pretty boring press releases across my desk every day. But this one I like; a look at some places in the world that haven’t yet been overrun by tourists with selfie sticks. It’s from the folks at Intrepid Travel, who run great trips all around the world and know a thing or two about over-tourism.
Here’s what they sent along today. I’d add a few other places to the list if anyone asked me, including The Azores (think Portugal meets Ireland meets Hawaii), Slovenia in Europe, Western Australia, the Hawaiian island of Molokai and, here in Canada, the cool city of Saskatoon. But enough about me; here’s what Intrepid had to say about the issue.
The Azores are a magical part of Portugal. – JIM BYERS PHOTO
Combating the escalating issue of overtourism, Intrepid Travel, the world’s largest adventure travel company, is releasing its annual ‘Not Hot List,’ which highlights a selection of lesser-discovered destinations that deserve the spotlight — from Canada’s Haida Gwaii Islands, the ‘Galapagos of the North,’ to Indonesia’s Tana Toraja Trek for going beyond Bali’s beaches.
The world’s largest B Corp certified travel company ensures all of its tours are led by local leaders who can guide travelers away from crowds. On a larger scale, Intrepid Travel also regularly makes changes to its itineraries and launches new product to introduce travelers to new communities in a sustainable way, aiming to alleviate the negative impacts of tourism while still spreading its economic benefit. There’s no reason travel can’t enrich local communities, instead of overwhelming them.
“The global tourism industry is changing, and travellers are becoming increasingly conscious about their actions especially with protests such as the Global Climate Strike shining a light on environmental issues,” said Intrepid Travel CEO, James Thornton. “The general public’s awareness has shifted and there is a desire from tourists to ensure they are benefiting the communities they visit and local people they meet, while respecting their cultures, economy and the environment too. The ‘Not Hot List’ aims to meet this growing demand and promote lesser-known destinations that are just as worthy of travelers’ time.”
You can find the full Not Hot List below.
Dakhla, Morocco – Largely inaccessible until a couple of years ago, Dakhla’s white sand dunes, countryside and crystal clear beaches on the edge of the Sahara and off mainland Morocco are seriously off tourists’ radar. On the brand new Marrakech & Dakhla Adventure, spend the night at a traditional Bedouin camp and enjoy epic scenery, far from the busy streets of Marrakech. Enjoy renowned seafood straight from the catch and marvel at the beautiful Bahia de Dakhla lagoon.
The Gambia – Gambia has been trending in Google search (+23%) and receives far fewer visitors than Africa hotspots like South Africa or Kenya. The smallest nation on the African mainland, countries don’t come much more compact and traversable than Gambia. Home to magnificent birdlife, pristine beach getaways, and lush tropical woodlands, Gambia just goes to show that size isn’t everything. In response to this growing demand, Intrepid Travel has launched its Senegal & The Gambia Expedition.
Gambia is definitely not a victim of over-tourism. PHOTO BY WIM VAN’T EINDE on UNSPLASH
Greenland – As the number of operators going to Spitsbergen is on the rise, Greenland is a great alternative to experience the beauty of the Arctic Circle. The world’s largest non-continental island, where fewer than 60,000 people live, is a literal breath of fresh air. When Trump expressed interest in buying the country, Intrepid saw a spike in traffic — as high as 237% — to its Greenland web pages. One of the few places left on Earth that can be described as truly wild, icebergs tower instead of skyscrapers, and tiny settlements on the coast still rely on subsistence fishing to survive. Intrepid Travel just launched their Greenland Expedition, its first dedicated land-based tour of the country.
The Haida Gwaii Islands – Known as the ‘Galapagos of the North’ for its complex ecosystem and diverse wildlife, Canada’s most remote region – the Haida Gwaii – feels like the edge of the world. It’s also the ancestral home of Canada’s Haida First Nations people, who remain critical to sustaining the country’s north. Intrepid Travel has launched its Haida Gwaii Islands Expedition, where travelers can visit local villages that live in harmony with the pristine wilderness of Naikoon Provincial Park and can hear the First Peoples’ stories of challenge and triumph during Canada’s National Indigenous Peoples Month.
Moldova – This tiny country, sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine, only welcomes 160,000 overnight visitors a year (according to the UNWTO), nearly the amount of visitors Croatia sees daily. On Moldova, Ukraine & Romania Explorer, try out Moldova’s famous wine on a tour of Milestii Mici winery, home to the biggest wine cellar in the world with more than 120 miles of underground passages lined with around 2 million bottles. Access the breakaway republic of Transnistria, a ghost of the Soviet past, and marvel at Orheiul Vechi, a 14th century cave monastery and UNESCO site built inside a cliff.
Nicaragua – After a period of political unrest, Nicaragua has seen a resurgence in tourism, enabling the return to the land of lakes and volcanoes, where nature is uninterrupted, the food is delicious and volcano boarding is a real slightly-scary-but-thrilling sport. On the new Best of Nicaragua itinerary, spend time at a local indigenous community on Ometepe Island, a lush, rainforest-filled island formed by two volcanos that rose from Lake Nicaragua. Learn about Nicaragua’s revolutionary past in bohemian Leon, stroll the colorful colonial streets of Granada, then head to Nicaragua’s Pacific coast for the sun, surf and laid-back vibes of San Juan del Sur.
Sunset in Nicaragua. PHOTO BY JUSTIN SNYDER on UNSPLASH.
Northeast Cambodia – As of this year, Intrepid Travel removed Sihanoukville – what used to be a sleepy beach town and is now nearly unrecognizable due to overtourism – from all itineraries, instead choosing to visit lesser-known destinations within Cambodia. An untouched corner of the country, the Northeast region is home to lush forests, remote lakes and waterfalls and temples lesser known than Angkor Wat, but no less fascinating. On the new Cambodia Expedition: Elephants & Jungles, spend time observing elephants in their natural habitat with an active hike at the Elephant Valley Project, an initiative that puts elephants’ welfare and treatment first, rather than the tourist dollar.
Sudan – Few people know that among vast stretches of sand dunes, Sudan holds some of the world’s most incredible archaeological sites, ancient ruins and resilient cultures. While President Trump included the country in last week’s travel ban, restricting travel for Sudanese citizens, the increased attention may actually spur interest in tourism. Following the previous Middle East travel bans, Intrepid Travel saw growth in the region, with travelers wanting to learn about the countries they continually hear about in the news and make their own decisions about them. On the new Northern Sudan Expedition, discover the remnants of great empires, explore ancient cities and necropolises, and encounter modern Sudan in souks, chai houses and nomadic settlements along the way.
Sulawesi, Indonesia – Iconic treks like Everest Base Camp have long represented some of Intrepid Travel’s most popular itineraries, but those wanting to discover new places one step at a time can opt for quieter paths, like the Tana Toraja trek in Sulawesi. After all, there’s more to Indonesia’s archipelago of 17,000 islands than Bali’s beaches. On the new Sulawesi Expedition: Tana Toraja Trek, traverse dense bamboo forests and deep fertile valleys, stay in traditional villages, and boat past acres of emerald green rice paddies. Experience a day in the life of fishermen operating a community project in the village of Puntondo, learn about the importance of the marine ecosystem, and how this project is helping to save the coastline. Travelers will even learn about the infamous Ma’nene death ritual, or the ‘ceremony of cleaning corpses’ – a 900-year- old tradition where the Torajan people dig up and spend time with the dead.
Tajikistan – Uzbekistan experienced +257% year-over-year growth making it the number one fastest growing destination for Intrepid Travel. With the ‘Stans going strong, Intrepid Travel predicts that Tajikistan could be the next destination in this region to surge. The allure lies in the heritage of the Silk Road and cities featuring crumbling reminders of Soviet influence. While political and military forces have battled over these regions, life in these isolated areas has changed little in the past centuries. On the new Tajikistan Discovery trip, travelers will spend five nights across Tajikistan’s homestay network, where they’ll immerse themselves in the local traditions.
